GETAWAYS
Getaways : DUBLIN
THE MERRION HOTEL
RELAXED ELEGANCE IN THE HEART OF DUBLIN
LOCATED IN THE HEART OF DUBLIN ’ S CITY CENTRE , THE MERRION LAYS RIGHTFUL CLAIM AS THE IRISH CAPITAL ’ S MOST LUXURIOUS FIVE-STAR HOTEL . A PROUD MEMBER OF THE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD , IT EFFORTLESSLY WEAVES LUXURIOUS STYLE WITH RELAXED COMFORT , AND FAULTLESS SERVICE WITH WARM IRISH CHARM . BY SAMANTHA READY
My arrival at The Merrion perfectly encapsulated my whole hotel experience in one short five-minute encounter .
Opening the taxi doors , fresh from a quick onehour flight across the Irish sea - made easier by our meet-and-greet parking at Gatwick courtesy of Kent-based holiday ease-masters , Holiday Extras - the initial wow-factor of the splendid Georgian facade was jaw-droppingly instant . In my rush to head inside , partly to get out of the rain - this is the Emerald Isle of course - and partly to discover what lay across the threshold , I grabbed my suitcases from the car to be met with a breathless member of the perfectly apparelled concierge team , who broke into a beaming smile and declared that he needed to work on his running speed to get to my bags in time . A hilarious exchange about running , the rain , the fact the reservation was under ‘ Adam Ready ’, and no , I was not him but could be to secure the room ensued ; and in five minutes I have never felt so welcome or at ease in such a prestigious , high-end hotel .
Now , don ’ t be mistaken , for while the service here was friendly , of course aided by the Irish ability to not take anything too seriously , it is also the epitome of professional efficiency , and this was evident across the myriad of wonderful staff we encountered across our mini break stay . From reception to waiting staff , bartender to spa therapist , every single one was tirelessly committed to offering the best guest experience and went over and above to aid our stay , not just at the hotel but across our whole Dublin trip .
So , bags taken care of and check-in complete , it was time to actually take in our new residence and make ourselves at home .
And what a home it is .
Regularly hosting everyone from privacy-focused A-listers to rock royalty , ( Patrick Guilbaud ’ s namesake two-Michelin star restaurant is a regular haunt of Bono ) it was immediately apparent why so many seek out a stay at The Merrion .
Our room was in fact not a room at all , but The Lord Monck Suite . Located on the upper floor , the suite , which was separated into a large bedroom with lounge , bathroom , and dressing / office area , was flooded with natural light and set majestically overlooking the stunning private landscaped gardens below . Boasting gorgeous features : Georgian fireplace , beautifully restored original rococo plasterwork , beautiful furniture , marble bathroom and , much to the delight of Mr Ready , a decanter of the finest 12-year old Redbreast Irish Whiskey , we were at pains to even leave the room , but of course we had a hotel and the city beyond to explore .
Located on Upper Merrion Street directly opposite the Government Buildings and steps from The National Gallery and The National Museum of Ireland , The Merrion Hotel is a pristine example of stunning Georgian architecture . Perfectly marrying original features with contemporary luxury , think 18m pool and subterranean spa complex alongside sash windows and roaring open fire places , the hotel
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